get a 6mm allen head for the two allen bolts on the sides of the tcase near the top. Take those out and get a magnet to grab the springs and the balls to inspect them. No need to pull the case for that but for what you posted I'd tear that bad boy down!Follow my steps in my 4.7 gear install for the teardown. Basically just start removing everything till nothing is bolted together 
thx brandon, im gonna try the ball+springs deal friday. i just need to fix the problem and build an x-member so I can hit the roundup next weekend
so im kinda strapped fer time (and money-but who isn't?) but ill get er done. the truck doesn't even have to drive up there- ohv reg. so its a damn trailer queen (I have no trailer, oh well) well i'll get it up there if it kills me...it might.
-chris
